Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care at Mercedes College is centred on God, embracing the spirit of Catherine McAuley. Our Pastoral Care is concerned with maximising learning and growth, while developing the students' values, attitudes, knowledge, skills and practices. Our students are encouraged to develop a positive self-image reflecting self-awareness, courage and resilience, as well as caring for others, the community and the environment. Young Mercedes women have a love for life, a belief in themselves, and confidence in their abilities.

Principles

Foundational to the nature of pastoral care is the belief that each person is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27), with the inherent dignity that this implies, and all are created as social beings, with the mutual rights, obligations and needs that this implies.

Pastoral Care at the College affirms and gives expression to the belief that 'the person of each individual human being, in his or her material and spiritual needs, is at the heart of Christ's teaching: this is why the promotion of the human person is the goal of pastoral care'.

To promote tolerance, the acceptance of difference and a culture of cooperation, empathy and respect.

Parents are the first educators of their children and the College assists parents in their Catholic education. The College also recognises the special pastoral circumstances of its own community, including families, and utilises its resources, personnel and programs to meet these needs.

All members of the Mercedes College community have pastoral responsibilities. The following structure ensures the above principles are actioned.